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A station for Sir John A.

Re: Name change proposal rankles railway buffs, Feb. 5

Name change proposal rankles railway buffs, Feb. 5

Based on the comments provided by Derek Boles, chief historian of the Toronto Railway Museum, it would appear to be eminently productive for him to emerge from whatever cave in which he currently dwells, read a basic public school history textbook and perhaps take a very close look at a number of transportation facilities that currently exist in this great county.

He says, “I’m not aware of any transportation facility that was named after anybody.” Does Pearson International Airport or perhaps Pierre Trudeau International Airport ring any bells, Mr. Boles?

I was a teen in the 1960s and understand that Mr. Pearson deserved the recognition if for no other reason than he gave this country a unique, non-British flag. Perhaps Mr. Trudeau deserves the recognition for his abundant arrogance and for giving Canadians the spectacle of the impact of enforcing the War Measures Act in 1970.

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As far as the naysayers in the star.com poll are concerned, it would be interesting to hear their answers to this question, “Who was John A. Macdonald?” In the writer’s view, he is arguably one of the greatest statesmen that this country has ever had. But perhaps these naysayers believe that he doesn’t deserve anymore recognition than having his portrait grace the front of a $10 bill? After all, he was only the greatest driving force behind the creation of this country and with equal zeal ensured that the great extremities of east and west were joined by a coast-to-coast railway.

I would also like to point out that in his spare time he became the only Prime Minister in the history of this country to lead his party to four federal governments. This country ignores the great contribution made by this man while its federal representatives debate the pros and cons of having a Pope John Paul Day. This borderlines the ridiculous. Renaming Union Station would pay a small degree of respect that Sir John A. Macdonald so rightfully deserves.

Greg Gormick would also do well to follow the advice I have provided for Mr. Boles. David Miller Union Station? How about RoFo Union Station, Greg? That makes about as much sense as your David Miller suggestion.

Gordon Oliver, Toronto

Toronto Public Works Chairman Denzil Minnan-Wong thinks that our beloved Union Station should be renamed the “Sir John A. Macdonald Station.” Politicians just love naming things after other politicians don’t they ?

The James Snow Parkway runs just north of Oakville, but if you randomly ask any 10 individuals who this person is, you will most likely get a blank stare or a shrug of the shoulders. He happens to be the former housing minister under the Bill Davis government in the early 1970s. He didn’t do anything particularly well or anything especially bad and that’s why nobody knows who he is but we still have a major road named in his honor.

A quick internet search shows that Sir John A. has not been forgotten since there several schools, a parkway and boulevard , a walking tour, a hotel suite and even a bar named in his homage.

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Councillor Minnan-Wong‘s reason for this name is that Sir John A. was our first Prime Minister but I have a better idea.We should rename Union Station after our last Prime Minister and that perhaps may inspire some good governance.

Union Station is an important part of Toronto‘s history and just like Casa Loma and the Old City Hall we should just leave the name alone.

The tens of thousands who use Union Station every day will undoubtedly continue to call it that and I intend to do the same.

Steven Clift, Whitby

So Minnan-Wong thinks it divine to rename Toronto’s Union Station after Sir John A. Macdonald. What could possibly be wrong with changing the station’s name after a man who was a noted racist?

While you are at it Minnam-Wong let’s also celebrate the fact that those railways that Macdonald had built were built with the hands and lives of many a Chinese immigrant whose treatment was repulsive and an embarrassment this country only recently acknowledged. Those immigrants were good enough to build his vision but were denied voting rights.

Before you and the others start suggesting past questionable Canadians to honor with this name change please enrol yourself in an obvious much needed Canadian history class. There are plenty of other Canadians worthy of having their name recognized.

In the meantime feel free to do any other changes with the money coming out of your own pocket. Like most Canadians I don’t have any room in my pockets for your hands. You don’t honor an individual who has done dishonorable activities — pretty simple.

Rhea Gazer, Thornhill

While the merger of Canadian National and Grand Trunk railways happened in 1920, when Toronto’s current Union Station was under construction, this was not the basis of the name “Union Station.” This was Toronto’s third Union Station, replacing its predecessors sited on the west side of York St.

“Union” stations refer to the sharing of a major common gateway by multiple railways. In days long gone, multiple private railways would serve Toronto Union.

By the time the current Union Station entered service, CN and CP were the only railways left standing after the First World War unleashed financial ruin on Canada’s then-private railway industry.

The current station is still a “Union Station” today as it serves GO, VIA, Amtrak, and until recently the Ontario Northern Railway as well.

Karl Junkin, Toronto

This seems too easy. If your going to re-name Union Station after a notorious drunk, maybe you should consider re-naming it Rob Ford Station.

J. Virio, Bowmanville

Why don’t we rename Union Station for William Lyon Mackenzie King’s mother? The Great Hall would be the perfect place for a seance.

Jason Shron, Thornhill

One person stated in this article he was unaware of any transportation facility named after a person. I can think of several. My all-time favourite transportation centre named after an individual is the John Wayne Airport located in Orange County, CA. Arriving passengers are greeted by a huge bronze statue of “the Duke.”

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